Oddbean

Lithuanians vote in presidential election overshadowed by Russia ========== Lithuania is holding presidential elections, with incumbent Gitanas Nauseda expected to win. The campaign has been dominated by security concerns in the post-Soviet state, as Lithuania worries about the possibility of a Russian attack. Nauseda, a former senior economist with SEB, won the first round of the election with 44% of the votes. He is running against Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, who came second in the first round. Over half of Lithuanians believe a Russian attack is possible. Nauseda sees Russia as an enemy and supports increasing defense spending. Simonyte, on the other hand, wants quicker progress, more openness, and tolerance. The president of Lithuania has a semi-executive role and sets foreign and security policy in tandem with the government. Nauseda previously beat Simonyte in a presidential run-off in 2019. #Lithuania #PresidentialElection #Russia #GitanasNauseda #IngridaSimonyte #SecurityConcerns #Nato #Eu #DefenseSpending https://www.investing.com/news/world-news/lithuanians-vote-in-presidential-election-overshadowed-by-russia-3457350